Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-11-28

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Wednesday, 28 November 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] National Council applauds President's decision to meet DenktashThe President of the Republic Mr Glafcos Clerides presided over a meeting of the National Council yesterday.
• [02] Foreign Minister on an official visit to China
• [03] Cyprus and Russian Defence Ministers hold talks
• [04] Cyprus signs international convention on Internet crime

[01] National Council applauds President's decision to meet DenktashThe President of the Republic Mr Glafcos Clerides presided over a meeting of the National Council yesterday.

Speaking after the meeting, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou made the following statement to the press:

"The National Council reviewed, at today's meeting, the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and worked out the positions and tactics that our side will follow at the meeting between the President of the Republic and Mr Denktash on 4 December, as well as general tactics and strategy.

The meeting took place in a climate of unity and the President's decision to accept the invitation to attend the meeting with Mr Denktash was unanimously applauded.

The National Council will convene again at 9.00 am on 18 and 19 December to continue the discussion on this matter".

Asked if after the President's meeting with Mr Denktash, a meeting is scheduled with the Greek Prime Minister Mr Simitis in Athens, the Spokesman said that no meeting has been scheduled, adding that President Clerides and Mr Simitis will meet at Laeken on 15 December.

Invited to comment on a statement by the President of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee that Turkey's accession to the European Union would not be possible prior to the solution of the Cyprus problem, Mr Papapetrou said that this position confirms previous statements by European Union officials. The Government Spokesman also noted a statement by the British Minister of State before the House of Commons on 26 November, in which Mr Hain had stressed that Turkey's threats to annex Cyprus' Turkish - occupied areas, violate the Treaty of Guarantee.

The Government Spokesman informed the members of the press that there had been changes to Mr Denktash programme of meetings in Rome. Mr Denktash was scheduled to have meetings with the Italian Minister of Communications, with Lazio Regional Director and Regional Assembly members and with the Deputy Interior Minister, Mr Papapetrou said, noting that all these meetings have all been cancelled and no reason has been given for their cancellation.

The Spokesman said that according to Turkish sources, the Italian Channel RAI also cancelled a scheduled interview with Mr Denktash. Mr Denktash will only meet with the students of one university, he added.

The Spokesman also said that the Turkish side considers that the meetings were cancelled, due to the intervention of the European Union and the Greek Cypriot side.

Asked to comment on the fact that, while the meeting between President Clerides and Mr Dentash is taking place, the US Secretary of State will be in Ankara, Mr Papapetrou said that Mr Powell's visit to Ankara is of importance since, according to Turkish sources, he will discuss, inter alia, the Cyprus problem.

"All these meetings show that, what the Greek Cypriot side has always been pursuing, namely to place the Cyprus problem on the international agenda, is now yielding results", the Spokesman concluded.

[02] Foreign Minister on an official visit to China

The talks lasted more than two hours and were followed by a working lunch. During the talks, the two Ministers discussed bilateral, political, economic, trade and cultural relations, the Cyprus problem, and China's role as a permanent Member of the UN Security Council. In addition they discussed the current international developments, the struggle against international terrorism, international organised crime, poverty and other problems faced by mankind, the developments in Afghanistan and relations between China and the European Union in view of Cyprus' EU accession.

Mr Kasoulides was also received by China's Vice-President Mr Ju Hu Jintao, who had visited Cyprus last January. Mr Jintao expressed satisfaction with his visit and the impressions he brought back and underlined his country's support for the people of Cyprus.

During his stay, Mr Kasoulides will also visit Shanghai and Fhe Nchen, where he will meet with representatives of the local authorities in order to promote bilateral economic and trade relations.

[03] Cyprus and Russian Defence Ministers hold talks

In his statement after the meeting, Mr Ivanov said that that with his Cypriot counterpart he discussed in every detail and sincerity the issue of security in Europe as well as issues relating to the struggle against terrorism. He noted that Cyprus and Russia know well and not by hearsay what terrorism and division mean.

Mr Ivanov said that he had been briefed by Mr Hasikos on Cyprus' plans to accede to the European Union and on the tension that exists between Cyprus and Turkey, a member of NATO.

Referring to the threats on security in Europe, the Russian Minister noted that it was a paradox for a NATO country to express aggressive statements against a country that will soon be a member of the European Union.

Asked what Russia's position is regarding Turkish threats to annex the occupied areas of Cyprus, in case the island is granted EU membership, Mr Ivanov said that Russia' position is adamant: it has never and will never welcome the threat of violence, especially the immediate use of military violence in solving disputes. 'Russia has always recognised and will continue to recognise the territorial integrity of Cyprus", he added.

For his part, Mr Hasikos said that with Mr Ivanov they exchanged information regarding terrorists and international terrorism. He noted that Mr Ivanov had explained how terrorists operate and spread over the world, in which countries Turks participate in international terrorism, and how they select their locations.

Mr Hasikos said that there was information in the hands of the Russian Government that Chechen terrorists are trained in the Turkish - occupied areas of Cyprus but that it was difficult to arrest them.

[04] Cyprus signs international convention on Internet crime

The convention was signed on Friday 23 November in Budapest and will come into effect once five countries, out of which three must be members of the Council of Europe, ratify it.

The Convention contains provisions regarding offences that violate intellectual property rights, fraud through computers and other offences concerning safety through the Internet.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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